Flames News

Flames schedule filled with can’t-miss contests

CALGARY, AB -- With the unveiling of the 2014-15 National Hockey League schedule, eyes immediately dart back and forth, scouring for marquee matchups and rivalry contests.

OCTOBER 8, 2014 - VANCOUVER CANUCKS @ CALGARY FLAMES

The Calgary Flames kick off the 2014-15 NHL campaign in spectacular fashion, hosting the team that hosted them in the finale of 2013-14’s schedule.

Though John Tortorella is no longer behind the bench for the Vancouver Canucks after a tenure that lasted just one season, there’s no love lost between the Pacific Division rivals. Calgary’s most memorable game of the year a season ago came against the Canucks in a fight-filled brawl that featured 140 penalty minutes just seconds after puck drop.

Whether or not those feelings are immediately renewed when the puck drops on the 2014-15 season remains to be seen, but there will certainly be no lack of intensity between the two.

OCTOBER 9, 2014 - CALGARY FLAMES @ EDMONTON OILERS

Just one night after hosting Vancouver, the Flames will immediately head north up the QE2 to renew acquaintances with the Edmonton Oilers.

The game will serve as the home opener for the Oilers, who finished the 2013-14 schedule 10 points behind Calgary. What better way for Edmonton to open their season than with the opening round of the ‘Battle of Alberta’.

Not that the BOA needs any added fuel to the fire, but tensions are sure to be at a high in this game considering both teams open the pre-season against each other in split-squad action, too.

DECEMBER 29, 2014 - LOS ANGELES KINGS @ CALGARY FLAMES

Two days before the calendar turns to 2015, the Flames will play host to the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings for the first time in the season.

While Stanley himself isn’t likely to make an appearance at Scotiabank Saddledome, Robyn Regehr is. The hard-nosed defenceman captured his first Cup title in June after playing an instrumental role in Calgary’s run to the Cup Final in 2004. Though injured, Regehr was the second to hoist the Cup for the Kings after accepting it from captain Dustin Brown.

Regehr spent 11 seasons and 827 games with the Flames, amassing 29 goals, 163 points and 802 penalty minutes and made his first return to Calgary last season.

FEBRUARY 6, 2014 - PITTSBURGH PENGUINS @ CALGARY FLAMES

Thanks in part to a new scheduling concept introduced last season, the Flames will host every NHL club at Scotiabank Saddledome at least once.

That means a better look at clubs in the Eastern Conference and more specifically, a better look at their stars. That idea will be highlighted when the Flames welcome Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Due partly to the former scheduling scheme and some injury trouble throughout his career, No. 87 has played just three times in the ‘Dome, recording just one point -- a goal -- in that span. Only the United Center in Chicago and Pepsi Center in Colorado have seen Crosby less frequently than Calgary.

FEBRUARY 16, 2015 - BOSTON BRUINS @ CALGARY FLAMES

Jarome Iginla has skated in Scotiabank Saddledome once as a visitor. Will this date be the second?

Iginla marked his return last December as a member of the Boston Bruins in an emotional game that featured a plethora of standing ovations and a touching third-star nomination. It was a game circled on calendars immediately after he signed with the Bruins last offseason.

Again, Iginla finds himself as an unrestricted free agent this offseason but there are plenty of signs pointing to a return to Boston, meaning there could be a little something extra in the air when the Flames play host to the Bruins.